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Council tax levy forcing second-home owners to sell

Richard Edwards
BBC North Yorkshire, political reporter
SUSAN PAPE A view of Filey beach and seafront from above. A long sandy beach with a headland in the distance. The tide is out and the sun is shining. Cars and houses line the promenade, with a large paddling pool situated on the right, overlooking the beach.SUSAN PAPE
Filey, in North Yorkshire, is a popular spot for second-home owners

A homeowner has said the decision by North Yorkshire Council to double the rate of council tax on second homes is forcing her to sell her holiday flat in Filey.

Susan Pape said the premium - which takes effect from 1 April - would be "the straw that breaks the camel's back".

"We feel like we are not welcome in Filey anymore, and that we have been made scapegoats," said Ms Pape, who said she knew other holiday homeowners who had also put their properties on the market.

North Yorkshire Council is meeting on Tuesday to set out plans on how they intend to use the money raised by the tax levy - an estimated £10m annually - to help ease the county's housing crisis.

SUSAN PAPE Author and journalist Susan Pape - pictured wearing a white blouse and scarf - sits behind a table with some of her books.SUSAN PAPE
Author and journalist Susan Pape said the increased levy on second homes is forcing her to sell her flat in Filey

According to figures from the National Housing Federation, there are more than 8,000 second homes in North Yorkshire - the highest number in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

But Ms Pape said she believes communities like Filey will suffer from second homeowners selling their properties.

She said she and her family have always supported local, independent businesses, and recently spent £12,000 with local tradespeople refurbishing the flat.

And she questioned the effectiveness of the policy - which has been commended as a means of bringing property back onto the market for local people to purchase, should second-home owners choose to sell.

"There are a lot of properties that are having this tax imposed upon them, but they are not the sort of properties that first-time buyers and local people want," argued Ms Pape.

"I have a one-bedroom flat - it is quite small. [And] although a first-time buyer could probably afford it, there are all sorts of service charges and management charges you have to pay."

Gareth Dadd, North Yorkshire Council's Conservative deputy leader, said North Yorkshire is a "wonderful place" to live or visit, but the region's popularity had put pressure on housing availability and house prices.

"We will work closely with the government, whose Valuation Office Agency is responsible for assessing if a property is a second home, to keep a close check on properties that are second homes and therefore qualify for the council tax premium," he said

"This is a new policy, but it is one we are totally committed to, and we will be making sure that those homeowners who have to pay the premium actually do so."